Agroecologia em Rede (AeR) is an innovative initiative that emerged in the early 2000s as a result of the collaborative efforts of various entities, including the National Agroecology Articulation (ANA, in Portuguese), the Brazilian Agroecology Association (ABA-Agroecologia), the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), the EITA Cooperative and a wide network of organisations and social movements.
The Agroecologia em Rede platform offers a robust infrastructure that allows networks in the agroecological field to self-identify and systematise their experiences. Using criteria and categories defined by the users themselves, AeR facilitates data collection and analysis, making a significant contribution to research, mapping and systematisation of agroecological practices. With resources to generate maps and analytical reports, the system offers a comprehensive view of the distribution and dynamics of agroecological experiences and organisations across the country.
The importance of mapping on the AeR Platform for the Centre of Excellence against Hunger
Through the various mappings available on the platform, it is possible to visualise and analyse the different agroecological initiatives and organisations. This information is fundamental for identifying and strengthening the actions carried out in different territories, promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences between agroecology practitioners. With its ability to generate detailed analyses, AeR has established itself as an essential tool for anyone seeking to understand and promote agroecology in Brazil.
This type of platform collaborates with the South-South Cooperation actions developed by the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger, as it contributes to mapping agroecological initiatives that can serve as good practices for partner countries. In March 2024, for example, the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger carried out a technical visit with the delegation from Congo, including a visit to the Joaquin Piñero Public Farm, known for its diversity of crops and agroecological production. The farm provides educational activities and food for public institutions. The agenda also included a visit to the Agroecological Square, a public space that encourages the production of organic food with environmental preservation techniques, and to the Quilombo do Campinho, which has an autonomous production of various foods in the agroecological forest, supplying the Quilombo do Campinho School.
The search for agroecological solutions in the context of school feeding is very much on the global agenda. As such, the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger uses Brazil’s knowledge and innovations in agroecology, family farming and school feeding programmes to inspire countries in the global south, involving institutional strengthening and training for family farmer cooperatives and schools.
Agroecology: Climate Mitigation and Benefits for Farmers
According to the Agroecology Coalition, current food systems are responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions and almost 80 per cent of biodiversity loss. In general, they are chemical-dependent monocultures, which makes them vulnerable to disease and unforeseen shocks. These practices also contribute to forest destruction, the displacement of communities, social inequalities, water pollution and soil degradation.
The precariousness of livelihoods and the social inequalities faced by many farmers and food system workers, especially women, indigenous peoples and young people, exacerbate the difficulties of guaranteeing adequate nutrition for all. Industrial agriculture is not compatible with tackling these conditions.
Considering this, agroecology offers a solution for this transformation. The principles of agroecology apply to all forms of sustainable agriculture and food production systems, including crops, livestock and pastoral systems, agroforestry, fisheries and aquaculture. In addition, they apply to the processing, commercialisation and consumption of food. Adopting these principles promotes gender equality, makes agriculture more attractive to young people, generates income, improves living conditions and contributes to healthy diets.
In addition to its strong potential contribution to the resilience of the agricultural system against the impacts of climate change, to biodiversity conservation and to reversing land degradation trends.
Farmers’ traditional knowledge, combined with innovation in practices and the sustainable use of technologies, is at the centre of an agroecological farming system. Cultivation practices maintain high crop production and animal diversity integrated into an agricultural ecosystem that facilitates the recycling of biomass, nutrients, water and energy. In this way, these practices guarantee the health and quality of the soil, reducing erosion and water loss.
Explore the Agroecology Network and join this innovation and sustainability network: https://agroecologiaemrede.org.br
Sources:
- Agroecologia em Rede. (2024, June 11). https://agroecologiaemrede.org.br/
- Agroecology Coalition. (2024, June 6). What is agroecology – Agroecology Coalition. https://agroecology-coalition.org/what-is-agroecology/
- How agroecology can respond to a changing climate and benefit farmers. (2019, December 18). IFAD. https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/story/how-agroecology-can-respond-to-a-changing-climate-and-benefit-farmers